Contents

Winter advice

We have brought this information together in this magazine particularly as we know so many of our residents may find the colder months challenging.

We are at the start of our new winter ‘Bexley Boxes’ project for 2024 for our most vulnerable housebound residents. Further information is available below so let us know if you would like to get involved.

We have tried to capture as much useful information as possible. I hope that you will find this guidance helpful. Please pass this on to anyone you feel may find it useful."

Leader of the Council, Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE

Bexley Boxes

The Bexley Box project will see some of our most vulnerable adult housebound residents receive a special box filled with goods designed to keep them warm and well over the winter months.

The project, that was launched in November, has been established to try to address some of the impact of the Government's Winter Fuel payment withdrawal. 

Bexley Box logo

Pension Credit

Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension.

  • You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home
  • You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person

The following local organisations can help advise you: Age UK Bexley and Bexley Citizens Advice. 

Warm Home Discount

You’re entitled to a Warm Home Discount if you receive the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit, or if you receive certain other means-tested benefits or tax credits and have high energy costs.

Winter Fuel Payment

Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free annual payment of £200 or £300 a household is entitled to receive if someone living there was born on or before 22 September 1958 and receives certain means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit, in the ‘qualifying week’ of 16 to 22 September 2024.

If you’re unsure, or you need to make a claim, call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160. You’ll need your National Insurance number and your bank or building society details.

Struggling with bills

If you’re finding it difficult to keep up with your energy bills, get in touch with your supplier. You might be able to set up a repayment plan.

Your energy company can suggest you have a prepayment meter installed if you’ve been struggling to pay your bills – but this should be a last resort.

If you or someone you know has access to the internet use the Government online Benefit checker.

Household Support Fund

Bexley has been allocated a grant of £1.54m to support residents most in need.

The funds are the latest allocation of the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) from the Department for Work and Pensions.

The Council is working with voluntary and community partners to distribute the funding.

The administration of the funds was still being finalised as we went to print.

Find out help with the cost of living

How to help

  • look out for elderly or unwell neighbours
  • check in on vulnerable neighbours, friends and family members, especially older people, those living alone and those with pre-existing health conditions

Keeping warm

  • if you’re sitting down, wrap up with a shawl or blanket
  • if you struggle to stay warm in bed, try wearing some warmer layers
  • try wearing bed socks. Use a hot water bottle, heat bag or an electric blanket to warm the bed – but never use a hot water bottle and an electric blanket together

Staying safe when keeping warm

  • test your carbon monoxide alarms
  • if you’re a private tenant, your landlord must install carbon monoxide alarms for you
  • make sure you have an alarm in each room with a gas or solid fuel burning appliance in it
  • put guards on open fires and don’t hang any washing too close to the fire
  • keep air vents clear – fires need good ventilation

Warm and welcoming places for residents

As winter draws in and the weather takes a turn for the worse, we have been working with our local partners to identify safe places that can provide free and welcoming warm spaces for our residents.

All six Council libraries across the borough are open to everyone, offering a warm and welcoming space during opening hours.

Find out more information on warm places to visit 

Could you become a Community Champion?

Bexley’s Community Champions programme was launched in the summer 2020, in order to help us reach communities across Bexley.

Our Community Champions help us to disseminate information to residents about a range of support services we offer.

For more information on how you can become a Community Champion contact hanif@bvsc.co.uk or call 01322 524682.